Happy New Year: Sun dried Tomato Polenta Bites w/ Roasted Garlic Brie & Cremini Mushrooms

Sun dried Tomato Polenta Bites w/ Roasted Garlic Brie & Cremini Mushrooms

A lot of flavor packed into a bite size appetizer. Polenta is an Italian specialty that can be served many ways.
Fresh, hot Polenta makes an excellent side to many hearty dishes, such as roasted chicken, braised beef, Osso Bucco, and is especially tasty with a perfectly cooked piece of salmon or sea bass. Polenta sets up quickly if poured into a mold. For this appetizer we will pour the Polenta into a rectangular casserole and refrigerate.

Be sure to buy dry Polenta or yellow corn grits, Bob's Red Mill makes a nice coarsely ground Polenta.
Yields 50-60 pieces.


ROASTED GARLIC BRIE CHEESE
1 bulb garlic
1 wedge brie cheese ( approx. 1/2 lb)
1 tsp olive oil
pinch sea salt
I use my toaster oven, since it is only one bulb.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut the top off bulb of garlic to reveal tops of cloves. Drizzle with 1 tblsp of olive oil.
Wrap bulb in foil, pinch foil shut at top of bulb loosely, to let some steam escape. Roast bulb for
35-45 minutes or until garlic is soft and golden brown. Open top of foil, wrap a kitchen towel around
foil to protect your hands from the heat. Squeeze firmly over a bowl to release garlic.
Mash brie cheese and roasted garlic together, add olive oil and sea salt. Set aside.

POLENTA
6 cups organic free range chicken broth
1 tsp sea salt
2 cups Polenta (Corn Grits)
3 tblsp Butter
2 cups Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese grated
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes
Fresh ground pepper

Grate cheese and set aside. In a food processor, pulse sun dried tomatoes until chopped very fine, set aside.
Bring 6 cups chicken broth to a boil with sea salt. Slowly add Polenta and stir. Lower heat to simmer and stir very frequently for 25-30 minutes or until Polenta is very thick. It should be very hard to stir and pulling away from the saucepan when done. Turn off heat.

Add butter to Polenta, stir in grated cheese and sun dried tomatoes. Add a few grinds of fresh black pepper.
Pour into an oiled 15" X 10" casserole dish. (You can also use a sheet cake pan) Spread evenly and smooth with wet fingers if necessary. Cover with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes in the plastic wrap to let moisture escape as it cools. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

MUSHROOM TOPPING
1/2 lb cremini mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup sweet onion, minced
4 tblsp butter
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup red wine
1 tsp aged balsamic vinegar

Over medium - high heat in a large saute pan, saute onion in butter until lightly golden (about 5 minutes), add mushrooms and saute until mushrooms are dark golden brown. De-glaze pan with red wine, add balsamic vinegar. Saute until wine and vinegar are absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add sea salt and pepper to taste, turn off heat and set aside.

ASSEMBLE

After Polenta mixture has become firm (3 hours in refrigerator), spread roasted garlic brie cheese on top of the firm Polenta. With a sharp, thin knife, slice Polenta into 50-60 square pieces. Top each piece with 1 tsp of the mushroom mixture. Place in a small cupcake paper or on assemble on a platter. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. For best flavor, let Polenta bites come to room temperature before serving.

SPECIAL Presentation- take these delicious bites one step further by sauteing them in olive oil until the bottoms are crisp and golden brown, an entirely different flavor erupts from the Polenta, as the flavors of sun-dried tomato and roasted garlic are heightened. They will be devoured!

Excellent with meaty Cabernet Sauvignon or inky Syrah.

Happy New Year: Stay up 'til 2008 with Tiramisu

This is my absolute favorite recipe for Tiramisu. Loosely translated Tiramisu means "pick me up" in Italian.
This dessert will keep you awake long enough to ring in the New Year with style!

If you have an in-home Espresso machine, by all means, brew fresh espresso!
If not, brew VERY strong coffee in your auto-drip or French press coffee maker.

This is a definite do-ahead recipe, the Tiramisu needs to be refrigerated at least 12 hours before serving.
The exact number of ladyfngers depends on the size of your baking dish. If there are any leftover, they are delicious for dunking in your morning coffee........a treat!

One of my personal touches to this recipe is the addition of Hazelnut Kahlua coffee liqueur. The Kahlua adds a nice sweetness, and enhances the coffee flavor.

Tiramisu with Hazelnut Coffee Liqueur

4 cups heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese
4 oz mascarpone (Italian cream cheese)
1 cup granulated white sugar
4 eggs
3-4 cups brewed espresso or strong coffee
1/2 cup Hazelnut Kahlua coffee liqueur
1 pkg ladyfinger cookies (approx 24-30)
Cocoa powder for dusting

Let cream cheese and mascarpone come to room temperature. Combine heavy cream, cream cheese, and mascarpone with a stand or hand mixer. Add sugar and eggs. Combine well and set aside.

Prepare to assemble: Butter a 10 X 10 (or similar size) baking dish with deep sides (2-3 inches)

In a shallow bowl or pie plate, combine espresso (or coffee) and Kahlua.
Soak each lady finger in the coffee mixture for less than a second on each side. Lay soaked cookies side by side in a single layer across the bottom of the dish. Add a 2 inch layer of the cream cheese mixture. Soak and arrange more ladyfingers for the second layer. Add the remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with Cocoa powder.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 12 hours. Serves 8-10 people.

Happy New Year!

2008

Recipe Request: Chicken Enchiladas Verde

For my "peeps" ......you know who you are! Bon Appetit!

Chicken Enchiladas Verde

1 whole chicken (4-5 lbs) - cooked- all meat removed from bones and chopped
1 small red or sweet onion- minced
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp celery salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 15oz can Black beans- drained
2 19oz cans Green Enchilada Sauce
2 8oz blocks (1 lb) Rogue Creamery Jalapeno Cheddar cheese - grated
Note: can use Rogue Creamery Chipotle Cheddar cheese, or Tillamook Pepper Jack
8-10 8" flour tortillas

In a large saute pan combine chopped cooked chicken, minced onion, garlic, and chicken stock. Cook over medium heat, add drained black beans and all of the spices. Cook over medium heat until chicken stock is reduced by half.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
On each flour tortilla place about two tablespoons of the grated cheese, put about 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture on top of the cheese. Roll up and place seam side down into a greased baking dish. Continue with remaining chicken mixture until baking dish is full (8-10 enchiladas). Pour Enchilada sauce over the rolled enchiladas, top with remaining grated cheese. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until cheese begins to brown on the edges. Enjoy!

Cookbook Review: King Arthur Flour Co.- best recipes for baking

My go-to recipes for Holiday Baking (or any other time of the year) are the series of books published by the King Arthur Flour Co.

This historical company has been milling flour since 1790. Started in Boston, MA, they are now based in Norwich, VT. With over 200 years of baking experience behind them, King Arthur's time tested recipes never disappoint.

Quite accustomed to changing with the times, King Arthur's expertise has been consistent right up until the present day. Their modern recipes inspire low fat, whole grain baking as well. Extremely explanatory in all aspects, King Arthur's books guide you through fool-proof recipes step by step.

The 200th Anniversary Cookbook
Cookie Companion
Bakers Companion
King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking

Holiday Notebook: Christmas Brunch Scones

These scones are incredibly tender and they melt in your mouth. Being careful to just barely mix in the cream keeps them from becoming dense. This is just one variation, any flavor of jam can be spooned onto the scone before baking. Another delicious way to make these is to fold dried fruit (cranberries, blueberries) into the batter along with the cream and bake without adding the jam. Enjoy these with a steaming cup of coffee or tea on Christmas morning!


Christmas Brunch Scones

3 cups AP flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 tblsp orange zest
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp real vanilla extract

1/2 lb butter (cold, salted)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup (or more) orange marmalade

1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Prepare 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper.
Makes approx 16 scones.

In the bowl of a large food processor combine first eight ingredients. Chop butter into pieces, add to mixture.
Pulse until mixture is crumbly and butter is incorporated. Turn out into a large bowl. Gently fold in heavy cream. Scone dough should be thick and lumpy. Scoop dough out in 1/4 cupfuls onto prepared pan.
The scones should resemble little mounds. Leave lots of room between scones, about 8 per pan.
With your fingers, make a small indentation in each of the scone mounds, large enough to hold approximately two tablespoons of the orange marmalade. Spoon marmalade onto scone. Sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until bottom edges are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes, remove from pan. Best eaten still warm!

Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

Chocolate Hazelnut Cheesecake

Graham cracker hazelnut crust

1 pkg (inner wrapped) graham crackers- crushed
3 tlbsp ground hazelnuts
3 tblsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup melted butter

Crush graham crackers and hazelnuts (chopped roughly) by pulsing in a food processor, fitted with standard blade.
Pour into 10 inch springform, mix in sugar, add melted butter, combine well. Press firmly into bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes, set aside.

OR Chocolate wafer cookie crust

Crush one package of Nabisco chocolate wafers in food processor, pour into 10 inch springform pan, add 1/4 cup melted butter, press firmly into bottom and slightly up the sides of the pan. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes, set aside.

Cheesecake filling

3 8 oz pkg's cream cheese (brick style)
1 cup sour cream
2 eggs
4 oz bittersweet chocolate
4 oz semisweet chocolate
2 tblsp heavy cream
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup hazelnut liqueur

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Bring cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, and heavy cream to room temperature (leave out for 1 hour).
Melt chocolate over warm water and let cool slightly. With a stand mixer or heavy duty hand mixer, blend together cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, heavy cream and sugar. Slowly add melted chocolate, mix well, but slowly, being careful not to incorporate too much air into the mixture. Add liqueur. Pour into baked crust.

Place filled pan into a large sheet of aluminum foil. Wrap foil around pan, make sure there are no holes in foil.
Place foil wrapped pan into a large high-sided baking dish, pour hot water into dish to measure one third up the side of the cheesecake pan. Bake cheesecake in this water bath for 60-75 minutes until firmly set in the middle.
Remove from oven and water bath, let cool in pan for 1 hour.
Run a thin knife around the inside edge of the springform before releasing the catch to remove pan ring.

Holiday Notebook: Yam and Rum Souffle

This recipe is a great way to replace the classic yam and marshmallow dish, with little bit of sophistication.It's easy and makes quite an impression at the dinner table. For an equally delicious variation use roasted butternut squash or canned pumpkin for a delectable squash souffle.

Yam & Rum Souffle

2 cups cooked yams- mashed
1/2 cup hot milk
1/4 cup dark rum
1/4 cup melted butter
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp mace
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tblsp orange zest
4 eggs- separated

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter very well a 1 & 1/2 quart baking high-sided baking dish.

Combine mashed yams with hot milk rum, butter, salt, pepper and mace. Stir until thoroughly blended.
Add orange zest. Beat egg yolks in or with a mixer until they are light and lemon colored, add to potatoes.

Whip egg whites in or with a mixer until stiff peaks form. (Note: if you use the same mixer for the egg whites as for the yolks, wash & dry thoroughly before using for egg whites)
Carefully fold beaten egg whites into potato mixture, transfer delicately to baking dish, so as not to deflate egg whites.
Bake for 25 -30 minutes. Serve immediately!

Holiday Notebook: Christmas Morning Muffins

These muffins are breakfast within themselves. They can be made with only whole wheat flour for an even healthier touch. The dry ingredients for these muffins can mixed the day before, and set aside. The wet ingredients minus the butter, can be prepared a day ahead and kept refrigerated. In the morning bring wet ingredients to room temp and add the melted butter. Delicious as is or add cream cheese frosting once they are cooled.


Christmas Morning Muffins

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Prepare one Giant muffin pan (12), lightly greased or with paper liners.
OR Prepare two standard sized muffin pans the same way.

In a large bowl combine the following,
1 & 1/4 cups AP white flour
1 & 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tblsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup flaked coconut

In another bowl combine,
2 cups shredded carrot
1 cup finely chopped apple
1/2 cup pineapple bits
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup applesauce
3 eggs

All at once, pour wet mixture into flour mixture and fold gently until just combined. Do not over mix.
Portion into prepared muffin pans (lightly greased or with paper liner).
Bake giant muffins for 25-35 minutes checking carefully at 25 minutes.
Bake standard size muffins for 20-25 minutes checking carefully at 20 minutes.
Remove from muffin pan after 5 minutes and let cool to room temperature.
Tightly wrap any leftover muffins in plastic wrap, and they will keep for days.
Add a layer of foil to the plastic wrapped muffins and keep for a month in the freezer.

Decadent Chocolate Custard

I have been making these chocolate custards since the 1980's. This classic recipe is open to many variations as the mood strikes. I often replace the vanilla extract with mint or orange extract. For a party -like touch replace extracts with Kahlua, Grand Marnier or any other liqueur that goes well with chocolate. Decorating the top with chocolate shavings is always a nice touch. This recipe also works well as a pie filling, pour into a prepared 8 inch chocolate wafer crust and bake as directed.

Decadent Chocolate Custard

16 oz Semi Sweet Chocolate- chips or broken bars
1 cup heavy whipping cream
6 eggs
2 tsp real vanilla extract
1/3 cup cake flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Melt chocolate over warm water. Let chocolate cool while preparing remaining ingredients.
In a separate bowl, beat together until well incorporated, eggs,vanilla and sugar.
Add cake flour slowly and mix in well. Fold 1/4 of this mixture into melted chocolate. Add melted chocolate to remaining egg mixture and carefully fold. Do not over mix.
Portion custard into six 1/2 cup ramekins that have been lightly coated with nonstick spray. Place filled cups into a large baking pan (glass, preferably). Pour warm water into the pan until the water comes halfway up the sides of the cups.

Place carefully in oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes, checking at 25 minutes. Custards should be firm, yet just a little jiggly in the middle, not soupy.
Remove from water bath, and cool to room temperature. Garnish with whipped cream or creme fraiche before serving.